What are the internal dimensions of a 20ft container?

A standard 20ft dry container has internal dimensions of approximately 5.90m (length) × 2.35m (width) × 2.39m (height), giving a usable volume of about 33.2 CBM. External dimensions are 6.10m × 2.44m × 2.59m. Note that actual dimensions vary slightly between manufacturers — always verify with your carrier for precision planning.

What are the internal dimensions of a 40ft container?

A standard 40ft dry container has internal dimensions of approximately 12.03m (length) × 2.35m (width) × 2.39m (height), giving a usable volume of about 67.7 CBM. The 40ft High Cube version has the same length and width but is 2.70m tall internally, providing 76.3 CBM.

What is the maximum payload of a 20ft container?

The maximum cargo payload of a standard 20ft dry container is approximately 28,180 kg. The maximum gross mass (cargo + container tare weight) is 30,480 kg. The tare weight of a 20ft container is approximately 2,200 kg, though this varies by manufacturer. Always check the container door plate for exact figures.

What is the difference between a 40ft and a 40ft High Cube?

Both have the same external length (12.19m) and width (2.44m). The High Cube is 30cm taller externally (2.90m vs 2.59m) and 31cm taller internally (2.70m vs 2.39m). This adds approximately 8.6 CBM of usable volume. High Cube containers are ideal for bulky, lightweight cargo. The freight rate premium is typically small on most trade lanes.

What is the internal height of a 40ft High Cube container?

The internal height of a 40ft High Cube (40HC) container is approximately 2.70m. This is 31cm more than the standard 40ft container (2.39m internal height). At 2.70m clear internal height, most palletized goods loaded on standard 1.45m pallets can be double-stacked.

How much does a 20ft container weigh (tare weight)?

The tare weight of a standard 20ft dry container is approximately 2,200 kg. This is the weight of the empty container itself, which must be included when calculating VGM (Verified Gross Mass) for SOLAS compliance. Actual tare weight is printed on the container door plate and varies between 1,800 kg and 2,500 kg depending on manufacturer and container age.

Can a 20ft container hold more weight than a 40ft?

Yes — a 20ft container often has a higher maximum payload than a 40ft. A 20ft dry container can carry approximately 28,180 kg of cargo, while a 40ft typically allows around 26,680 kg. This is because the 20ft box is shorter and lighter, leaving more of the MGM (30,480 kg) available for cargo. For very heavy, dense cargo, two 20ft containers can carry more total weight than one 40ft.

What is the CBM of a 40ft High Cube container?

A 40ft High Cube container has a usable internal volume of approximately 76.3 CBM. This compares to 67.7 CBM for a standard 40ft dry container. The extra 8.6 CBM comes from the additional 31cm of internal height. High Cube is the most commonly used container type for export shipments of garments, furniture, and other light, bulky goods from Asia.

Container Dimensions Guide

Internal and external dimensions, CBM capacity, max payload, and tare weight for every standard container type

Container	External (L × W × H)	Internal (L × W × H)	CBM	Max payload	Tare weight	Best for
20DC 20ft Dry Container	6.10m × 2.44m × 2.59m	5.90m × 2.35m × 2.39m	33.2 m³	28,180 kg	2,200 kg	Dense, heavy cargo — steel, machinery, chemicals
40DC 40ft Dry Container	12.19m × 2.44m × 2.59m	12.03m × 2.35m × 2.39m	67.7 m³	26,680 kg	3,750 kg	General cargo, mixed goods, standard FCL shipments
40HC 40ft High Cube	12.19m × 2.44m × 2.90m	12.03m × 2.35m × 2.70m	76.3 m³	26,480 kg	3,900 kg	Bulky, lightweight cargo — furniture, garments, foam
45HC 45ft High Cube	13.72m × 2.44m × 2.90m	13.55m × 2.35m × 2.70m	86.1 m³	27,600 kg	4,800 kg	High-volume, low-density cargo on EU and Asia routes
20RF 20ft Reefer	6.10m × 2.44m × 2.59m	5.44m × 2.27m × 2.24m	27.7 m³	27,400 kg	3,080 kg	Temperature-sensitive small shipments, pharmaceuticals
40RF 40ft Reefer	12.19m × 2.44m × 2.59m	11.56m × 2.29m × 2.25m	59.8 m³	27,700 kg	4,400 kg	Perishables, food, beverages, flowers, chilled goods

20ft Dry Container 20DC

External

6.10m × 2.44m × 2.59m

Internal

5.90m × 2.35m × 2.39m

Volume

33.2 m³

Max payload

28,180 kg

Tare weight

2,200 kg

Dense, heavy cargo — steel, machinery, chemicals

40ft Dry Container 40DC

External

12.19m × 2.44m × 2.59m

Internal

12.03m × 2.35m × 2.39m

Volume

67.7 m³

Max payload

26,680 kg

Tare weight

3,750 kg

General cargo, mixed goods, standard FCL shipments

40ft High Cube 40HC

External

12.19m × 2.44m × 2.90m

Internal

12.03m × 2.35m × 2.70m

Volume

76.3 m³

Max payload

26,480 kg

Tare weight

3,900 kg

Bulky, lightweight cargo — furniture, garments, foam

45ft High Cube 45HC

External

13.72m × 2.44m × 2.90m

Internal

13.55m × 2.35m × 2.70m

Volume

86.1 m³

Max payload

27,600 kg

Tare weight

4,800 kg

High-volume, low-density cargo on EU and Asia routes

20ft Reefer 20RF

External

6.10m × 2.44m × 2.59m

Internal

5.44m × 2.27m × 2.24m

Volume

27.7 m³

Max payload

27,400 kg

Tare weight

3,080 kg

Temperature-sensitive small shipments, pharmaceuticals

40ft Reefer 40RF

External

12.19m × 2.44m × 2.59m

Internal

11.56m × 2.29m × 2.25m

Volume

59.8 m³

Max payload

27,700 kg

Tare weight

4,400 kg

Perishables, food, beverages, flowers, chilled goods

Important: Dimensions shown are industry standard specifications. Always verify with your carrier — actual dimensions vary slightly between manufacturers and container condition.

Key Differences

How to choose the right container

20ft vs 40ft — when does 20ft make sense?

A 20ft container costs roughly 60–70% of a 40ft box on most routes, but only holds about 49% of the volume. Use a 20ft when your cargo is heavy and dense (machinery, steel, chemicals) and you hit the weight limit before the space limit. For light, bulky cargo, the 40ft almost always gives better value per CBM.

Standard vs High Cube — the 30cm difference

A 40ft High Cube is 30cm taller internally than a standard 40ft (2.70m vs 2.39m). That adds roughly 8.6 CBM — about 13% more volume. The rate premium is typically small. Use High Cube for anything taller than 2.2m or for lightweight cargo where you want to maximize volume.

Dry vs Reefer — usable space

Reefer containers have significantly less internal volume than dry boxes of the same external size. The refrigeration machinery at the front takes up roughly 0.5m of length, and insulation reduces all interior dimensions. A 40ft reefer holds about 59.8 CBM compared to 67.7 CBM for a standard 40ft dry — 12% less usable space.

Container Dimensions — Frequently Asked Questions

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